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Just got back on Monday from an extended "weekend trip" and I am still a bit foggy! My report isn't day-to-day, but does touch on all of the pertinent categories.

Flights
Once again, I flew TransMeridian Air out of Toledo Express Airport and have virtually NO complaints about this airline. Toledo Express is only 25 minutes from my place, the flight is non-stop, the prices kick butt and they always serve food on every flight! It does seem like small delays (15-30 minutes) are common on this airline for some reason.

Since TMA flights are chartered, they fly into Terminal two in Vegas. T2 is awesome! On my way back, I was out of the cab and waiting at the gate is 25 minutes!

Hotel - Imperial Palace
Check-in and check-out were a little slow. Upon check-in, the attendant wrote down the words "overlooking pool" on a piece of paper and handed it to me with the keys and map. He told me that he "couldn't say it out loud or he might get in trouble"! This might have been the poorest attempt at scrounging for a tip that I've ever encountered in Vegas!

As has been reported, the elevators were a little slow and the property was really hard to navigate, especially back in the hallway leading to the monorail and parking garage.

Now to the good stuff. The price I received was killer! I used their "summer sizzler" offer and got a weekend rate of $45 per night with Sunday night being $35. The room was standard Super 8 quality with a pretty comfortable bed, working TV and remote, clean and comfortable! The shower head was a little weird, but I was usually 3/4 asleep in the shower anyway, so it didn't bother me too much. Also, the AC ROCKED!! It was around 108 degrees each day I was there, and the air conditioning NEVER let me down!

The service was really good all-around during my stay and I don't remember running into any cranky or subpar employees. The location is obviously great and the comps are excellent!

Comps
For the first time ever, I actually have a "comps" section in my report! In case you don't know, I'm one of the most frugal people that post here, which includes being a pretty frugal gambler. Despite this fact, IP hooked me up! First off, my only experience at IP before this trip was quickly going in to sign up for their players club and putting exactly $20 through a slot. Apparantly that was enough for their sizzler mailer, et. al. Secondly, my total meal expenditures for the entire trip was $15, as ALL of my meals at IP were comped buffets!! With the sizzler package came a great funbook with 3 buffet comps and an initial $25 in comp money! Adding that to my play in their poker room, I had TWO OUT OF MY THREE NIGHTS comped at check-out! That is truly a new experience for me!

Food
Burger King - Yep, out of desparation I stopped into the BK at O-shea's Friday night as I was starving and needed something quick!

IP Emporer's Buffet - I ate here three times, and each time was comped! This is NOT a very good buffet. I would never pay full-price to eat here. In fact, I had another two comped meals here that I never even used because I was getting a little sick of the place. That being said though, there was always at least one or two tasty items that filled me up and, once again, the price was right!

Gold Coast Buffet - I ate here Sunday night using an ACG 50% off coupon. The best $6 I ever spent. This was the 2nd time I've eaten at this buffet and it is on the same level as the Orleans. Sunday was "steak night" with cooked to order chunks of cow (sirloin I think) that weren't too bad.

Airport Pizza Hut - Another act of desparation.

Shows
Nope, not a one! I was thinking about seeing 2nd City again Sunday night, but made the trip to the Coast and Palms instead.

Gambling
Blackjack - I used all four $5 matchplays out of the IP funbook with GREAT success! I also had one winning session of $50 at the IP later on.

Craps - I played the $3 tables at the Royale, $2 table at Gold Coast, and $5 tables at IP. Rolling the dice at IP was the most fun! The dealers there NEVER solicited tips, but when I did tip, they always remembered my name and sincerely appreciated it!! However, craps was my main loss mechanism for the weekend though.

Slots - Lost about $60 in WOF slots during the trip. Why do I even bother with slots anyway!

Video Poker - My dad gave me $5 to put through a machine, which I did in a 25 cent VP machine at the Palms. I played max coin, and on the LAST HAND, was dealt 4 jacks! Dad had a good return on his investment! In case you didn't know, the Palms has a TON of full-pay machines!!

Texas Hold-Em - This was the meat and potatoes of my trip! In all, I spent about 22 hours total playing 2-4 hold-em, mostly at the IP. I also made cameo appearances at Monte Carlo, the EX and the Palms. My best hand was getting quad 8's on the turn (which got me even more IP buffet comps!) and my worst beat came when my wheel was beaten by a 7-high straight. I may post more poker details in the gambling forum if I get a chance. All-in-all, I finished up about $300 on poker during the trip.

I also entered a no-limit tournament at IP (their first ever tournament). After the entry fee and re-buy, it set me back about $80. I made it to the final table and finished 8th, but they only paid the top 4 finishers. Bummer!

Transportation
Not much to report here. I took two cab rides, each very boring with silent drivers. The shuttle from Barbary Coast was nice and reliable like usual. The shuttle from the airport to IP was excrutiatingly slow on Friday night. Next time I'll just pay the extra $8 and take a cab!

Final Thoughts
- Because of all my free meals, I never made it over to Ellis Island for the steak. That's two trips in a row I've missed it! Maybe next time.

- I met so many fellow Buckeyes out there this weekend it became my little personal joke by the end of the trip! At one point, 7 out of ten people at a poker table on Saturday were from Ohio, and there was one poor sap from the state up north who took more than his fair share of ribbing!

- Playing poker with dumb drunk idiots is frustrating and pointless. My most profitable sessions were playing with intelligent guys who knew the game well enough to be dangerous, but not well enough to realize that pocket tens aren't that great when there are 3 over-cards on the board!

- I don't know how people can actually live in Vegas! The heat is simply oppressing!

- I received over $100 in comps from IP this trip! This place really knows how to treat its gamblers!

- After 3 tiring trips in about 6 months, I think I might need a break! My next trip will probably be the week before Christmas. Thanks for reading. If you have any questions, let me know.

I just had a quick comment about your check-in experience that may change your perspective. Keep in mind, I wasn't there and only know what you typed so here goes... I used to work at the front desk of a hotel and we had STRICT rules about not giving away any information about where a guest was staying, including general locations. I drew lots and lots of lines around our hotel map... How anybody ever found their room is beyond me! It's possible there was a dig for a tip but he also may have just been protecting your privacy.

Great report. Short, sweet and to the point. Wow, that's a lot of trips to Vegas.

Quick question - if the Buffet wasn't that good, why did you keep going back? Was it because it was free? There are so many great places to eat in Vegas, I can't see wasting a meal somewhere I know I'm not going to enjoy it. Maybe that's just me.

I had a friend who flew in and out of Terminal 2, definitely a difference in getting in and out of Vegas.

rob-
Nice report, if you get a chance to post more on your holdem experiences id be very appreciative. Im going in late august and plan on trying poker, i play alot but never at a casino. Im curious where who when how much,,,all the details..
thanks ahead of time

I really enjoyed your trip report. We are heading to vegas on 16th of August via TMA out of Toledo. Any tips? We choose to upgrade to first class on the way out with the hopes of winning in vegas and upgrading on the way back too. How is Toledo Airport? I have never been. We usually fly out of DTW as we live in Lincoln Park, MI but this time we couldn't beat the deal on TMA.

Milehiman - My MAIN reason for the trip was to play hold-em! Not see shows, not pamper myself with fancy meals, etc. etc. Therefore, the free buffets at IP were just fine, especially since the buffet was right next to the poker room! Pretty darn convenient! My main point was to say that if you don't get it comped, it would be a better idea to go to another place like the Flamingo, or better yet, Paris or Alladin for a MUCH better buffet.

Julie - First class on TMA isn't as special as other airlines, basically you just get the extra space and leg room and free beer! Toledo Express Airport is great compared to DTW!!! I've never waited longer than 20 minutes to get through the line and security! Parking is also a breeze! Have fun!

I thought it was maybe an Ohio thing. You know being the gluttons for punishment you all are. Just Kidding - LOL (I'm thinking you and your new found Ohio buddies were probably picking on somebody from Michigan - got to represent yo - GO BLUE!)

In all seriousness I'm glad you had a good trip and were treated well at the IP.

Gambling
Rolling the dice at IP was the most fun! The dealers there NEVER solicited tips, but when I did tip, they always remembered my name and sincerely appreciated it!!

Texas Hold-Em - This was the meat and potatoes of my trip! In all, I spent about 22 hours total playing 2-4 hold-em, mostly at the IP. All-in-all, I finished up about $300 on poker during the trip.
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IMHO If dealers ask for or hint at a bet for the boys, that is a serious sign that they don't respect your play or think you are too drunk to care. Sure it is polite and proper for players to toke, but it is rude to be solicited for one.

Also, congrats on poker, Rob. 3.4 big bets an hour is a great win rate!

i have stayed at the imperial palace three times now (the third wasnt on purpose but thats a whole other story) and on my next trip will be my fourth time (my sister demands it, she loves the place). i have to say its a great deal, great location and despite all the things i have read, the rooms really ARE nice. i think once im done with my "must stay at every hotel" schtick, i will probably spend a lot of nights there, as i constantly get great offers for almost no play.

three trips in six months, i am jealous. JEALOUS LIKE YOU WOULD NOT BEIEVE. i still have another 133 days. or rather, 132 days and 41 minutes, but whos counting?

I'll agree with you about TMA. Used it on a return flight to Rockford and it was a breeze. In fact, I would recomend it to anyone from Chicago area. Parking is free at the Rockford airport.
We stayed at IP this summer and were given choice of overlooking pool or Strip view. Took the Strip view, but realized later our mistake. The view wasn't much at all and the noice from Carnival Court goes on all night long.